ST. PETERSBURG — Gov. Charlie Crist chose not to reappoint mayoral hopeful Deveron Gibbons to the Pinellas County Housing Authority board this week.

Crist announced his board appointments Monday. Gibbons, who sought reappointment, was not named.

"Mr. Gibbons did not withdraw his name. The governor selected the individuals to serve based on the pool of applicants we received," spokesman Sterling Ivey wrote in an e-mail today.

Gibbons, who also serves on the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, served as vice chairman of the Pinellas Housing Authority. He joined the board in May 2005, and his term expired in December. He continued on the board as officials awaited word from Crist's office about whether Gibbons would be reappointed.

In a brief interview Tuesday, Gibbons would not discuss why he had not been reappointed.

"Charlie and I had a great conversation," Gibbons said. "It's time for some new blood on the housing authority."

Gibbons said that he will continue to serve on the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. He also serves on the St. Petersburg College board of trustees.

"I'm still going to be as busy as ever," Gibbons said

Darrell Irions, chief executive officer of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas housing authorities, said he has no idea why Gibbons was not reappointed. He said he had no complaints against Gibbons.

Cristina Silva and Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writers

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